Attachment 4-12 ADEC Transrec Drill September 30, 2003 Report prepared for Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council Oil Spill Prevention and Response Committee by Tim Jones, Jennifer Fleming, Tony Parkin October 6, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS Objectives/Notification... 3 Scenario/Overall chronology/450-3 Tim Jones...4 VEOC activities Jennifer Fleming......10 Overall comments Tim Jones...14 450-1 decontamination comments Tony Parkin... 17 SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 2
OBJECTIVES/NOTIFICATION: Unlike other surprise drills where notification was handed to someone in an office at SERVS, this one was initiated in a manner more approximating the real thing. A response supervisor aboard the tug Guard at the site of the simulated spill notified the SERVS duty office by radio, informing him of the stricken tanker and the resultant spilled oil. This response supervisor then became the initial response incident commander (IRIC) and directed the response until a group leader arrived on scene. Injections provided by controllers to the IRIC showed the position of the ship, the extent of the spill, atmospheric levels and told the IRIC to take actions necessary as if he were the actual supervisor aboard the escort vessel. Drill Objectives: The drill objectives to be evaluated according to specific items generated by a working group were: Effective Group Management Effective Task Force Management Task Force Management Task Force Positioning Barge and Boom Positioning Effective Barge Operation Recovery Barge Loading Free-water Decanting Effective Skimmer Operation Skimmer Positioning Skimmer Operation (weir height/pump rate) adjustments Effective Recovery Valdez Star Task Force Valdez Star Task Force Recovery Effective Site Control/Decontamination (on Transrec barges and Valdez Star/Allison Creek barge) Site Control/Decontamination Each of these major objectives was broken down into a series of evaluation categories directly related to the overall subject. Individual controllers and evaluators assessed performance based on a particular area of their operations. SCENARIO: The tanker WEGOTOIL 4 was reported spilling oil in the vicinity of Gold Creek in Port Valdez. The slick was described as 6,000 yards long and 2,000 yards wide with stringers coming out of it. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 3
Chronology Tuesday September 30, 2003 Prior to the commencement of the drill, controllers, evaluators and observers were transported to the various platforms that were to be involved. This was accomplished employing the night shift at SERVS, with the drill expected to be initiated at 6 a.m. when the day shift came on duty. WEATHER: Rain, heavy at times. Wind and sea calm. Low 50s. Tides: High, 4:54 a.m., 11.2 ft.; Low, 10:37 a.m., 2.7 ft; High 4:36 p.m. 13.5 ft. 0617 Drill was initiated by the response supervisor on the tug Guard informing the SERVS duty officer by radio of the stricken ship, giving position, call for Transrec task forces and a weather situation report. 0620 Crew aboard the Transrec barge 450-1 was instructed to prepare the barge. This is a manned barge with an on-board Crowley Maritime crew. 0621 Tug Nanuq was ordered to the area of the ship to assist the Guard which was to remain tethered. This was to allow the response supervisor to board a more mobile platform, and get out of the hazardous atmosphere so he could direct the initial response. (The Nanuq was simulated) PRT Alert was directed to the barge 450-3 to take it to the spill site. 0626 Response supervisor reported he had transferred to a PRT and was moving away from the ship. (Simulated; in fact the response was directed from the tug Guard). 0629 Response supervisor relayed an initial atmospheric report to the duty office. These were provided as injections to the IRIC on the Guard by controllers; Benzene 20 ppm, LEL 5%, THC 900 ppm. As a result of these readings, all aboard the tanker were reported in full face respirators as were responders on the Guard. 0641 Kvichak crew boat reports departing SERVS with four crew aboard for the Barge 450-3. The ETT Nanuq was made up to the 450-1. PRT Alert was made up to the 450-3. 0644 IRIC reports wind at 25 mph west. IRIC informs duty office the platform has moved to a position at 61 07.32 N and 146 28.97 west, approximately 1/2 mile west of the ship and atmospheric readings have dropped to zero. He instructed the tugs to bring the barges to that position. Task force leaders names were relayed to IRIC. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 4
Hank Richards was reported already aboard the 450-1. Steve Johns was called in from off-duty for the 450-3 and was on his way. 0648 Black Kvichak reported under way with two aboard to act as safety boat. At this point the SERVS duty office contacted tugs with barges at Naked Island and Hinchinbrook entrance requesting an under way time and an estimated time of arrival in Port Valdez. The Pathfinder with the 450-8 gave an ETA of 1230. The Sea Voyager with the barge Mineral Creek was contacted, but the response ETA was not heard out on the water. ABOARD THE BARGE 450-3 0700 TCC crew boarded the 450-3. With a foreman in charge pending the arrival of the response supervisor, the crew began preparations for the response, beginning with warming the power packs for the Transrec and Graham Rec skimmers. NOTE: When the crew boarded the barge, lay-flat discharge hoses already had been laid out to move recovered liquids from the skimmers to the barge s loading manifold. Additionally, a temporary weather tent had been set up for the decontamination area. Hydraulics and the control stand for the Graham Rec also were set up. 0705 Crew was dropping the mooring for the 450-3. 0707 Barge was under way. 0730 Crew was placing decontamination equipment and marking the warm and cold zones. Largely the deck of the barge remained the hot zone while an area approximately amidships was the warm, where the decon station was located and the cold zone only included the area near the center of the barge with an accommodations connex and portable toilet. 0737 Crane had been attached to the Graham Rec skimmer and it was deemed ready to launch. 0742 IRIC informed tug operators where he wanted them to stage before beginning operations. Skimmers had been turned and were hanging overboard off the stern. 0744 Tankerman informed skimmer operators to communicate to him when skimmers began pumping and also their flow rates and approximate oil/water percentages. 0749 Crew began preparing the Ocean boom for deployment. 0752 Both barges were approaching the response area and slowing. It was reported fishing vessels had been dispatched. 0755 Barges reported in position. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 5
0802 With no fishing vessels available yet, the Alert was requested to launch one of its work skiffs to begin deployment of the Ocean boom, which would later be passed to a fishing vessel. Air monitoring equipment had been placed in operation on deck and was running. 0810 450-3 task force lead reported on deck. He immediately met with the crew for a briefing, received air quality reports and ordered half-face respirators and Tyvek suits. 0823 Task force lead requested oil position from the group lead. Crew began donning PPE. Alert was preparing to launch a work skiff. 0829 Alert had launched its skiff. A question was raised about transferring the Ocean boom power pack from the skiff to a fishing vessel and it was confirmed a larger seiner s lifting equipment could handle it. 0832 Valdez Star arrived on scene with the barge Allison Creek and a line tug. Group lead instructed the Star to begin skimming. Group lead reported fishing vessels would not be arriving for a while. 0839 Ocean boom power pack had been placed on the forward deck of the work skiff. First fishing vessel reported on scene: a bowpicker. 0844 Leah C reports in (seine) Lucky reports in (bowpicker) A SERVS Rozima work boat had arrived on scene and was distributing PPE to the fishing vessels. 0850 Alaskan Spirit (seine) reported in and was instructed to proceed to the 450-3 to receive the Ocean boom. Several more fishing vessels arrived on scene. 0902 Work skiff crew was transferring the Ocean boom power pack to the Alaskan Spirit. Transrecs on the 450-1 were pumping water. NOTE: This was deemed feasible before the Ocean boom could be launched as oil could be expected to be concentrated enough for skimming this early in the response and so close to the source. 0910 Alaskan Spirit had the power pack on board and was approaching the barge to take the tow for the Ocean boom. All crew were functioning in full PPE with half face respirators. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 6
In response to a question, task force lead said he had sufficient crew aboard to maintain operations. This crew had four TCC personnel plus the lead and a tankerman. Task force lead reported to group leader that operations could begin in approximately 30 minutes. Ocean boom deployment began. 0933 It was observed that while there was rounded chafing strip on the edge of the barge to protect the boom while it was being dragged overboard, a wire cable that runs the length of the barge had slipped to a position where the boom dragged over it. This could cause excess wear on the boom and perhaps a tear. 0935 Ocean boom was away and task force lead instructed skimmer operators to lower the skimmers and begin operations. In a departure from previously observed procedures, the task force lead instructed the fishing vessels where to form their U configuration and on what heading, then instructed the Alert to bring the barge to the boom and set up in static skimming mode. Task force lead instructed fishing vessels that, indeed, full PPE was required including half-face respirators. 0942 Vessel Lisa Marie was picking up the trailing end of the Ocean boom to tow with the Alaskan Spirit. 0949 Crew began lowering skimmers to the water. 0950 A mate from the tug was on board the barge, standing at a high point on the stern and directing the vessels in making the formation. At this point the fishing vessels had the boom fairly centered and spread wide, well astern of the barge. Alert was maneuvering the barge to the boom. 0954 An oiled dead bird was reported by the Valdez Star. 0955 The 450-1 had pulled away from the oil, offshore from the 450-3 and lifted the skimmers, while preparing to launch Ocean boom. 0956 Boom was coming into position astern the 450-3 with the apex slightly off to the left. As the tug was bringing the barge closer, the mate instructed the fishing vessels to begin coming together to form a more defined U. 1000 Starboard Transrec was pumping. 1001 Port Transrec was pumping. The boom was not quite in position close enough to the barge for the skimmers to reach the apex. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 7
1014 Boom apex was centered on the barge and close enough for the skimmers to reach the concentrated oil. Graham Rec skimmer had been pumping. Controller provided input showing location of oil in the boom and operators were instructed to adjust accordingly. 1019 ADEC control reported to controllers that a decanting permit had been requested and issued. It was not clear whether the decanting permit information was relayed to the group or task force leaders. 1035 Tankerman was monitoring flow rates from the skimmers. At this time, the starboard Transrec was pumping at 100 cubic meters per hour (about 1/3 capacity) and the port was pumping at a full 300 cubic meters per hour (2,200 barrels). 1042 Alaskan Spirit reported he could see a leak in the Ocean boom close to that end of it (closest to power pack). 1059 Crew reported difficulty adjusting the weir on the port Transrec and it was brought back onto the deck. Graham Rec did not appear to be pumping at full capacity. Boom was fairly shaped in configuration behind the barge. A formation had been made with both barges moving westward. The 450-3 was in front and the 450-1 was slightly to the left and behind. 1101 Port Transrec had been returned to the water and was pumping. Recovered liquids were reported at 6,837 barrels on board and 50% oil. NOTE: This would have taken all three skimmers pumping at full capacity for an hour and this was not the case. 1117 Apex of the boom had slipped slightly to the left and the starboard Transrec was bumping against the boom. Port Transrec was barely pumping, which might have been on purpose since it would not have been in the thickest concentration of oil. Graham Rec was pumping full but in the center of the boom and closer to the barge where only slight concentrations could be expected. 1125 Boom apex had been centered on the barge again. Tug reported speed of 0.8 knots over the ground. Port Transrec was brought on board again so crew could adjust the center float manually to allow remote control of weir. Input on atmosphere allowed crew to remove respirators. Instruction was given for barge to change from static to dynamic skimming. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 8
1135 Port Transrec was back in the water and pumping, with the weir now adjustable from the control panel. Crew began preparing to launch Kepner boom for deflection in dynamic mode. 1155 Desiree Lynn (seine) had taken the tow for the first Kepner. 1210 Barge operations controller requested permission to advance the loading schedule six hours to begin decanting calculations. Concerns were raised about visibility with fog rolling in from the east and the Kepner deployments were stopped after the first had been launched. 1212 Fishing vessels had backed off with the Ocean boom while the Kepner was deployed and were now called to pull back into position. Kepner boom was away. Barge operations controller told to hold off on the decant injection. Alaskan Spirit reported 1 inch of fuel remaining in the Ocean boom power pack tank. 1224 Fishing vessels had fairly well formed the Ocean boom again. 1225 Barge operations controller told to advance the loading schedule 6 hours. 1235 Formation began a slow turn to starboard to come up on an easterly heading. 1250 Tankerman was given the injection concerning the six hour advance and he began calculations for decanting. Formation was steadying up on an easterly heading. Desiree Lynn and Lady Sandra had formed something of a J configuration with the one Kepner boom in an effort at deflecting some oil to the Ocean boom for containment. In this tow, the helical coil in boom close to the boat had not uncoiled and the flotation had not inflated in that section. That section of boom was under water. 1325 Drill participants were instructed to stand down. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 9
VEOC ACTIVITIES (Jennifer Fleming, Dan Gilson) On Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 0616, the WEGOTOIL4, a sister ship to the Denali, radioed in that they are leaking a large quantity of crude oil. The WEGOTOIL4 requested that the escorting ETT stop its progress. The tanker's present position is in the vicinity of Gold Creek in Port Valdez. The tanker master has reported that he believes the ship has lost (or is in the process of losing) 200,000 bbls. [Correction: The capacity of the two tanks leaking oil (tanks 3S & 3C) have a combined capacity of 200,000 bbls.] As of 1100, approximately 60,000 bbls had leaked into Port Valdez. As of 0800, winds were from the west at 12k, low clouds, seas at 1ft. A low tide of 2'7'' will be at 1037. Scenario Timeline (as observed and logged by PWSRCAC VEOC Staff) 0616 Initial Response Incident Commander (IRIC) called in to announce problem with the tanker WEGOTOIL4. This is ADEC's official drill start time. (ADEC) 0630 Initial Task Forces are assigned and dispatched. (SERVS) 0630 12 F/V's are ordered. (SERVS) 0640 SERVS calls crew (TCC) to Barge 450-3. (SERVS) 0700 Barge 450-1, with escort from ETT Nanuq, under way. On water task force 4 (TF4) deployed. (SERVS) 0712 Barge 450-3, with PRT Alert, under way. On water task force 2 (TF2) deployed. (SERVS) 0745 Barge Allison Creek, with the Valdez Star, is mobilized, ETA on scene, 0820. On water task force 5 (TF5) deployed. (SERVS) 0755 TF2 arrives on scene. (SERVS) 0800 Simulated helicopter over flight. (SERVS) SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 10
0800 RCAC field observer calls in to report that both Transrec barges are on scene (TF2 & TF4). They are awaiting fishing vessels to deploy boom. These task forces made it on scene in approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. (T.Jones) 0820 SERVS is simulating TF6, lightering and recovery. The S/R Baytown has been identified as the tanker of opportunity. (ADEC/SERVS) 0820 SERVS is simulating nearshore and shoreline protection at Gold Creek. (ADEC) 0830 Rod Hoffman, SERVS regulatory and preparedness manager, has assumed the position of Incident Commander. (SERVS) 0841 SERVS update: TF2 and the Valdez Star are beginning recovery even though boom is not in place. The SERVS Environmental Team has announced that nearshore and shoreline protection priorities will be the Duck Flats, City Harbor Entrance and Shoup Bay. The Gold Creek area is of high concern, but the team is unsure if protection can be put in place yet. (SERVS) 0900 RCAC field observer calls to report that the F/V's are reporting in and are in the process of obtaining their personal protection equipment (PPE). TF2 has its Transrec skimmers in the water and is pumping. (T.Jones) 0953 The Valdez Star reported that is has collected one dead bird (bird has been bagged and tagged. Type still unknown). (SERVS) 0955 Simulated helo over flight. (SERVS) 1000 RCAC field observer called in to report that TF4 has its boom deployed and its skimmers are operating. TF2 has pulled out of the oil and is deploying its Ocean boom. Valdez Star is still in the oil attempting recovery. (T.Jones) 1009 SERVS Environmental Unit requested a decanting permit to the state on scene coordinator (SOSC). This request was approved by ADEC and the SOSC. (SERVS) SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 11
1012 SERVS Environmental Unit submitted a zone 2 dispersant application permit to the SOSC. Request was denied per ADEC. RCAC staff is seeking further explanation as to why it was denied. (SERVS) 1025 SERVS Environmental Unit submitted an application for wildlife hazing and treatment. This request was granted by ADEC. (SERVS) 1100 RCAC field observer called in to report that TF4 has been running its skimmers for over an hour and has 6,800 bbls liquid recovered. TF4 had initial skimmer difficulties, but all are operating at this time. TF2 is behind TF4 and is also skimming and holding formation. There is no report yet as to how much liquid TF2 has recovered. (SERVS) 1108 It was reported that approximately 60,000 bbls of oil has leaked from the WEGOTOIL4 into Port Valdez. (SERVS) 1110 TF2 and TF4 are deploying Kepner boom. (SERVS) 1120 SERVS Environmental Unit announced that one oiled otter has been discovered. At this time, the otter is not captured, but the otter is alive. Otter has been seen swimming in and out of boomed areas. The SERVS wildlife annex has been opened (simulated). The wildlife response team has been contacted and deployed, five representatives are en route to Valdez. The Anchorage Response Center has been contacted, and is staffed and ready to treat wildlife. (SERVS) 1130 F/V Update: The following 12 vessels were deployed, and arrived on scene between 0843 and 0915: Prosperity, Leah C, Lucky, Lisa Michelle, Alaskan Spirit, Glacier Island, Steven Daniel, St. Andrew, Lady Sandra, Desiree Lynn, St. Elias and the Polecat. SERVS called out but simulated deployment of the following vessels to assist in wildlife management: Miss Grande and Papa Max. (SERVS) 1200 RCAC field observer called in to report that TF4 was in formation until the oil began to spread. At that time they began moving into a dynamic mode of recovery. TF4 is deploying Kepner boom for deflection of the oil in front of the barges. TF4 has recovered 13, 000 bbls of fluid at this point. (T.Jones) SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 12
1200 RCAC Staff initiated Scientific Response Plan checklists for the LTEMP Program and the Port Valdez Water Quality Monitoring Project (simulated). (J. Cowan) 1205 State approves the requested wildlife hazing/capture & treatment permit. (SERVS) 1240 It was observed that SERVS Operations is organizing personnel and delegating assignments for the 1800 shift change. (SERVS) 1300 RCAC observer called in to report that TF4 has completed a 180 degree turn and is working east off of Gold Creek. Observer has the impression that the drill appears to be winding down. (T. Jones) 1320 RCAC Anchorage office receives a call for information about hazing animals away from the scene. (J. Cowan) 1322 SERVS Manager reported drill to end pending completion of decanting demo on Barge 450-3 and decon demo on the Valdez Star. (SERVS) 1335 Final call from RCAC observer reporting exercise being terminated and nothing new to report in the field. (T. Jones) SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 13
OBSERVATIONS/ COMMENTS (Tim Jones) OVERALL DRILL: This drill was called as a direct result of another June 4 in which several aspects of that response were found to be unsatisfactory. During the approximately three months between the two, SERVS crews underwent an intense training period in Transrec barge operations and response techniques. The resulted in a quicker, smoother response more in keeping with time requirements for a spill in Port Valdez. Where it took about 8 hours from the time of notification in the first drill before formations had been made and skimmers pumping, Sept. 30 barges were in position in an hour and 40 minutes and formations made within two more hours. Some of this delay in the formations was due to waiting for atmospheric conditions to clear. Barge command had improved. In the case of the 450-3, an initial TCC crew boarded and began preparing for deployment operations immediately with a foreman directing the crew. After a little more than an hour, the SERVS response supervisor (task force lead) boarded the barge, received a briefing from the crew and from the group lead and proceeded to direct activities, assigning subsequent tasks, directing PPE requirements and managing the task force effectively. Though this drill was intended to be a surprise there were some questions raised as to how much of a surprise it actually was. SERVS did know another surprise drill was coming, and the SERVS business unit leader and a representative of the responsible party (Alaska Tanker Company) were part of the drill planning group. Over the weekend prior to the drill, a Valdez fisherman asked an RCAC representative if he was planning to attend the surprise drill Tuesday. On the 450-3, discharge hoses from the skimmers to the barge loading manifold already were laid out when the crew boarded. A temporary weather shelter for the decontamination area also was in place. Placing each of these would have required more crew time in the initial set-up thus taking them away from other tasks. IRIC: Initiating the drill and providing immediate supervision through the use of the response supervisor on the escort tug provided more of a sense of realism to the drill. With command on-scene from the beginning as it would be in a real spill, the entire operation operated more in emergency mode. MANNING REQUIREMENTS: The 450-3 operated throughout the exercise with four TCC crew, a tankerman, a task force lead and a mate from the tug directing boom positioning. Had the task force lead requested more crew, they would have been sent. In direct response to a question from a controller, the task force lead did not see the need for more crew. However given the tasks already performed (decon shelter, discharge hoses), deployment of boom and skimmers might have taken longer. Also SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 14
throughout the day, the TCC crew did not receive a break, nor were they provided with lunches and as a result worked approximately eight hours straight without relief. To their credit, they performed their duties competently. It may have been a drill artifact related to on-going escorts during the day of the drill, but the 450-3 task force lead had to be called in from off duty. If one had to be called, it raises a question as to where task force leads would have come from had the two offshore barges been brought to the scene rather than simulated. DEPLOYMENT MANEUVERING: In most previous Transrec exercises, it has been the procedure to deploy the Ocean boom, hold the barge and have the fishing vessels pull the boom into a U configuration from behind the barge. At times this has been a time-consuming process. In this exercise, the Alert master instructed the fishing vessels to hold the boom stationary in the initial skimming location with a wider than normal opening. Then, taking advantage of the barge control and maneuvering capabilities of the Z-drive prevention/response tug, he maneuvered the barge into position with the boom. This appeared to quicken the formation process and save wear on the boom from excess towing to catch up with the barge. BOOM/BARGE POSITIONING: In the June 4 drill and in several previous exercises, the Ocean boom has often been observed out of position for effective containment relative to the barge and skimmers. In fact, during the June 4 drill of the approximately two hours the 450-3 formation was operating, the boom was out of position for the majority of the time. This has most often been due to a lack of consistent direction from the barge to the tug. In this drill, a mate from the Alert remained on the 450-3 throughout the drill, directing the tug and fishing vessels, constantly adjusting and maintaining effective skimming configuration. In addition to the consistent monitoring, a tug crewman has the experience to give accurate verbal directions to the tug operator in the language of tug operations, rather than, as has been the experience in the past, someone less familiar giving sometimes unworkable directions. Only for about five minutes was the apex observed out of position and then, it was only a slight drifting to the left of center of the barge. Over a long period of response this would make the operation much more efficient and increase the amount of product recovered. If a tug mate cannot always be available for this task, SERVS might consider bringing tug crew in to train personnel in proper tug operations commands. SKIMMING OPERATIONS: In the June 4 drill, Transrec operators were not at all familiar with sampling procedures for testing the oil/water cut of liquids being pumped on board. In this drill they actually initiated the testing. They were given injections informing them of the oil/water percentages. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 15
Skimmer operators were also given charts showing the position of oil in the boom and watched to see how they adjusted skimmer position accordingly. BARGE LOADING: In a departure from procedures during the June 4 drill, the 450-3 tankerman in this drill was very proactive. As an example, in the June 4 drill, skimmers began operating without informing the tankerman. As a result liquids would have been pumped against closed tank valves. In this drill the tankerman directly informed the skimmer operators to notify him when they began pumping and to inform him of pump rates and oil/water percentages as quickly as they could. On top of that the tankerman checked the flow rate meters on the skimmers himself. All of the equipment necessary for loading operations including loading plan, sounding and water cut measuring equipment were available. One lesson learned from this drill was to provide some kind of shelter under which the tankerman could make his calculations out of the rain and wind. OCEAN BOOM POWER PACK: When SERVS first received the portable Ocean boom power packs (which allow a fishing vessel to tow the inflation end of the boom) it was noted in exercises that they had a fuel capacity that allowed operation for about three hours. In an RPS response over several days, refueling these could become a logistical problem, and if one should run out of fuel, the boom would sink because of the need for constant inflation. At one point approximately two years ago, it was understood the power packs were upgraded with fuel tanks that would allow about 10 hours of operation. However in the June 4 drill, the one used with the 450-3 reported low on fuel after a little more than two hours. In that drill a SERVS deck crewman said the tank had been checked and was more than 3/4 full when it was placed aboard the fishing vessel. In this drill, again, the Alaskan Spirit reported only one inch of fuel in the tank after about three hours of operation. LOGISTICS: Throughout the day, crew were not provided lunches or breaks. During the debriefing it was learned the barge crews were supposed to have been provided lunch by the tugs, however this apparently was not communicated to the tugs or barge crews. EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Evaluation items for both exercises were written according to a standardized set of evaluation criteria developed by a working group in 2002. A similar working group will do the same for nearshore operations in the near future. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 16
DECONTAMINATION AND GENERAL COMMENTS -- Tony Parkin Following a less than satisfactory performance by the SERVS oil spill responders and their contractors in the June 4, 2003 Unannounced drill, a second drill was considered necessary by ADEC. During the original drill planning, SERVS and the shippers were excluded from the planning process but in order to sharpen the drill planning for this second event, both SERVS and the shippers were involved in the planning along with ADEC, the USCG and RCAC. This led to some concerns as to whether this event could truly be considered unannounced and in fact either through conjecture, guessing or idle gossip, the drill did not appear to be truly a surprise to many of the participants. The scenario for the drill was the same as in June, a tanker developed a leak for unknown reasons in the vicinity of Gold Creek and two Transrec task forces and the Valdez Star task force were mobilized. The scenario was that the spill would turn into a worse case discharge and that time during the day of the spill would be accelerated so simulate loading and decanting of the storage barges. The evening before the event, controllers, evaluators and observers met in the offices of Alaska Tanker Company and discussed the scenario of the drill and the logistics to move all people onto the platforms and locations from which they will observe and participate in the event. Some explanation was made by ADEC, SERVS and RCAC as to the reasons behind the drill events and the injects that were designed to test the responders in the task forces. The SERVS manager explained the order of moving people to the response platforms and also the procedures for initiating the drill call out. The observers\controllers arrived on the barge 450-1 at around 0540, 20 minutes prior to the drill being started, on the morning of the drill. This is a manned barge and it was noted that many of the barges hoses and decanting pumps were already deployed on the deck of the barge and the decontamination line was virtually setup and ready to go. Since the June 4, 2003 drill SERVS and the response contractors have been training almost non-stop to bring all responders up to a high state of readiness and following the 0600 initiation of the drill, the barge was skimming and simulating the collection of oil in approximately two hours. During this time the barge was moved to the vicinity of the oil spill, equipment was deployed and operating. Initially all responders were in full face respirators and Skimmer operators were seen to be adjusting skimmers and collecting samples from the flow lines in real time. The task force leader was in communication with the supervisor and air monitoring was being conducted on the barge. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 17
When the fishing vessels arrived on scene the boom was deployed and the barge moved into dynamic mode and held formation for most of the time of the drill. The tanker man was able to demonstrate the loading and decanting of the barge and the task force leader showed good span of control and overall the performance went very well when compared with June 4. A new decontamination (decon) line was set up for this drill that involved a dry decontamination rather than using water. The decon line was set up prior to the drill and the general layout of the barge was changed from the first dill in that most of the barge deck was now the hot zone so allowing response personnel to more freely move around the barge. The decon line was set up at the base of the stair way up to the accommodation so as to keep oil from the inside of the barge accommodation and control rooms. During the drill the air monitoring injects supplied to the responders meant to the changing of full-face respirators to half face and in order to change respirators the responders walked all the way through the decon line so potentially carrying oil to the clean side of the line. Respirators were stored in the supplies box so also oiling the clean respirator canisters, tape etc. During the day s events, two responders in full PPE including respirators were seen ignoring the decon line and walking up into the accommodation and when the only two people did use the decon line they had no clean footwear to change into so the decon line would have been ineffectual on this barge. One safety concern was noted during the day of the drill and that was a work boat moving too fast within the task force boats and barges causing unnecessary boat wakes. This was pointed out to the lead controller and the situation was remedied immediately as a real time concern. Overall this drill went very well in terms of the responders executing the scenario and demonstrating the lessons learned from the June drill. All responders performed well and the 450-1 demonstrated that they could mobilize and start work quickly and maintain an effective recovery. The following day s debrief allowed all parties to comment on the drill and also what improvements could be made. Some changes in barge layout were suggested such as wind breaks around the status board that would help working conditions especially for a winter response. Over all the lessons learned from June 4 appeared to have been implemented and for that reason there is now a procedure for planning and conducting these unannounced drills. Two concerns still remain after the drill and that is the question of adequate manning of qualified SERVS personnel and the decon procedures on the barges. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 18
As the date of the drill was getting closer it became evident that the event would clash with fishing vessel training in Cordova. The SERVS manager said that the training would go ahead so as to not tip off staff as to the date of the drill. The evening before the drill, the SERVS manager stated that the Barge 500-2 would not be leaving the port for Cordova as SERVS would not have enough people for the drill if that happened. It is also unclear if one of the barge task force leaders was called in to work during his off week. If this was the case, were there not enough task force leaders on duty that day? One thing RCAC would like to see exercised is a manning rotation for a 72 hour response drill. ADEC is receptive to this idea and hopefully this will happen soon. The second item that RCAC would like to see remedied is the decon procedure on the barges. It is understood that SERVS will have permanent decon container in place by the end of 2003 but the mind set still needs to be improved to use decon and to practice it as it is important in a spill. Overall things were so much better than in June and RCAC look forward to future unannounced drills that further test the preparedness of SERVS and their contractors. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 19
QUESTIONS REMAINING: FORMATION POSITIONING: Inputs were given to skimmer operators using a chart showing location of oil in the boom with the idea that the operators would adjust the positions of the skimmers for maximum recovery. It was not clear whether this same input was given to those personnel directing the tug and fishing vessels, who could actually have a greater effect on skimmer positioning. If not this should be done in future drills. INITIAL RESPONSE: All of the escort tugs carry boom with the plan that if possible they could deploy this boom and either begin containment with their work skiffs or have boom in the water when Transrec barges arrive. It was not clear whether the IRIC considered this possibility. DECANTING PERMIT: Controllers were notified by ADEC in the VEOC that a decanting permit had been issued. It was not clear whether this was communicated through the SERVS chain of command to the barge crews. PERSONNEL AVAILABILITY: It was not clear why a task force leader had to be called in from off-duty for the 450-3. Considering there are four Transrec task forces and they are usually the first to respond, there should be four at least on duty at all times. This may have been an artifact of the drill as SERVS had to continue normal operations with three ships in the system at the time. However, if personnel had to be called in with just two task forces mobilized, it also raises the question of who would have been the task force leaders on the remaining two barges, whose mobilization was simulated. SERVS 9.30.03#16 ADEC Transrec Surprise Page 20